“I have always been Mohegan, but what we were able to do before our tribe was federally recognized in 1994 was limited. My involvement became more significant then, when our lands were returned to us and my father became chairman of the tribe.”
“I first visited Dartmouth with him and a Mohegan delegation that met with President James O. Freedman and asked, ‘If Samson Occom is so important to the school, why is he given so little recognition?’ ”
“My cousin arranged an admissions interview for me without telling me. When I told her I was too nervous, she said, ‘Don’t worry. It’ll be great. You only have hundreds of years of ancestors relying on you!’ ”
“As vice chair of our tribal council, I’m charged with assuring our citizens’ health, safety, welfare, and education. That could be making sure a grandma’s heater gets fixed in the middle of the night or suing the federal government.”
“As vice chair of the tribal gaming authority, I’m like a board member over all our businesses, including casinos and online gaming. We negotiated the sale of our WNBA team [to owners of the Houston Rockets]. We hoped to keep the Connecticut Sun in New England for our fanbase and players. Getting $300 million on a $10 million investment was very satisfying, but it was bittersweet.”
“I still believe that government is capable of lifting people up and making lives better. I still believe in this country and its ability to do positive things despite the fact that historically it has not enacted favorable policies for Indian people. Quite the opposite.”
“I love policy. I hate politics.”
“The Mohegan tribe encourages our kids to go out into the world and bring knowledge back home. I think that’s what Occom had in mind as well.”
“Mohegans believe all objects are imbued with the spirit of their creator, so having the Occom papers repatriated feels like at least part of him has returned. It felt like a door was opening to work on more things together with the College.”
“I look forward to working with other trustees to live up to our chartered mission and ensure that kids are getting an education that includes a lot of truth and critical thinking.”
Notable Achievements
- Elected to Mohegan Tribal Council and Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, Uncasville, Connecticut, in 2017 (appointed vice chair in 2019); descended from Samson Occom’s mother
- As member of Dartmouth Native American Visiting Committee, achieved repatriation of Occom’s papers to her tribe in 2022, highlighted in the documentary, Forgotten Founder
- Joined Dartmouth board of trustees in June
- Earned J.D. from American University (2005); practiced tribal law in Washington, D.C.; worked at U.S. Department of the Interior, including for assistant secretary for Indian affairs (2010-15)
- Lives with her family in Franklin, Connecticut
